tomorrow morning will be 48 hrs post lap band surgery and I feel like I'm going to starve to death. I'm doing broth, jello, water and juice, but my stomach feel so empty and all I think about is food.

have you tried a protein drink or instant breakfast ? they are filling especially the powdered protien mix that you blend with milk. hope youre feeling ok. good luck

Pink - thanks for your reply. I'm supposed to be on clear liquids thru today, then I can go to milk, protein shakes. Maybe things will be better when I can do that. Food was like the center of my life, especially around the holidays. I think this may be more mental than anything.

Are you getting enough fluids in? My doctor wanted me to drink 100 ounces of fluids, it's not easy but I was never hungry. Try decaf tea, water, crystal light, propel, or broth. Good luck and sip, sip, sip!!!

One thing most of us fail to realize when we get the band, is that if we're going to be successful with our weight loss, we have to have a completely different mind set. Food can no longer be the center of our universe. I don't know what to replace it (food) with, I'm remodeling our kitchen. It's kept me busy for the past three months and I've lost about 60 lbs. I'll have to have another project when I'm finished, but it can't be food. I went to a Center of Excellence for my surgery and it's become the standard of 'how things should be done' in my mind. When I see people complain about poor care or post op instruction, I can't help thinking that maybe more time should be spent on patient education and screening and less time on how large the bank account is getting. I probably shouldn't get started on how poor I think the quality of care is getting. It does bother me though, when folks come here asking the very most basic questions about their diet and aftercare, not having been given even the most basic post op instructions. Maybe less time is needed on profit and loss and more time on patients well being. Excuse my rant.

One thing most of us fail to relialize when we get the band, is that if we're going to be successful with our weight loss,

we have to have a completely different mind set. food can no longer be the center of our universe. I don't know what

to replace it (food) with, I'm remodeling our kitchen. It's kept me busy for the past three months and I've lost about 60

lbs. I'll have to have another project when I'm finished, but it can't be food.

I went to a Center of Excellence for my surgery and it's become the standard of 'how things should be done' in my mind.

When I see people complain about poor care or post op instruction, I can't help thinking that maybe more time should

be spent on patient education and screening and less time on how large the bank account is getting. I probably shouldn't get started on how poor I think the quality of care is getting. It does bother me though, when folks come here

asking the very most basic questions about their diet and aftercare, not having been given even the most basic postop

instructions. Maybe less time is needed on profit and loss and more time on patients well being. Excuse my rant.

Corrigan – I know what you mean. I have read a lot of posts from people that don’t seem to have received any post-op guidance. I did go through what I think is a pretty good pre-op program, not a center of excellence place, but they openly say that is what they are striving for. I had about 12 weeks of weekly classes, individual psychologist sessions and nutritional one-on-one. However, I don’t think there is anything that could have prepared me for the psychology of removing food from the center of my life, except it actually being forced on me and having to live through it day by day and figure it out. I appreciate your tip on filling that “space” with something else. I think I need to change up my daily routines, somehow, for starters.

Are you getting enough fluids in? My doctor wanted me to drink 100 ounces of fluids, it's not easy but I was never hungry. Try decaf tea, water, crystal light, propel, or broth. Good luck and sip, sip, sip!!!

I'm getting about 64 oz of water, plus the broth and jello on top of that, so I think I'm good with the amount of fluid. It's just that my stomach still feels very hollow and empty.

About half my post got cut off, probably wasn't that important anyway, but here it is.

None of this was intended for the OP, she just wanted to know what

else to eat beside water and jello. This is probably the most difficult

time of the whole project. Your stomach is wondering what happened to

all the food, and you're not giving it many answers. In time this extreme

hunger will subside and you'll be able to get by with less and less,

but for right now, eat as much protein as you can find. Your body will

handle any excess. That's about the only thing I know the will make you less hungry. You know about all the jello and Popsicles,etc. Lots of

water (We were told about 64oz a day), Everything with water in it counts, even coffee, although a diuretic, it still counts as liquid.

You mostly just have to be strong and stick with it. You're going to

get out, just what you put into this. I hope it works for you.

I was banded on Wednesday, and I've been struggling with some depression and some "missing food" feelings. I think my feelings are coming from it being Christmas time and my whole family has huge family dinners, plus my hubby and little boy are eating anything and everything in front of me.

food has always been a huge part of my life and like a best friend. I'm trying to really focus on the reason I did this and what I'm going through right now is just temporary. I think for those of us who had the surgery around the holidays are pretty tough Cookies since the holidays revolve around food so much!

I felt hungry a little last night. I've found that doing the Protein when I feel hungry has helped. I found these drinks called Protein Shots at Walmart that have really helped. They are in a tube and are fruit punch flavored. They are 100 calories, no sugar, no carbs, and 26 grams of protein. They kinda taste like Jello.

I hope this helps and just know you are totally not alone. I've barely been able to talk to my family since surgery and am spending all my time on LBT because I just feel completely supported on here!

When you can move from clear liquids you'll find your stomach much happier! When I was on clears, I was ready to eat my dog, he was just lucky he could move quicker than I.

The first week post-op is rough. You've been through a pretty big trauma (I know people say it is the least invasive WLS, but it IS still invasive surgery!). You are eating nothing with any nutritional value to help your body recover.

I don't know about you, but I was a mess!

Ok - I see I am not alone. I'm setting my mind on tomorrow morning, Christmas. My present to myself will be some protein! Hopefully that will start to settle my stomach and set my mind still. I really appreciate this site! Oliversmamma, we are having similar struggles - my wife asked ME to make the family cheesecake I always make (and eat half of) for Thanksgiving and Christmas! I did it. Just to prove to myself I could. It was difficult, but I know not nearly as difficult as it will be to watch the whole family eat it..

Hope the protein works! If you can make a cheesecake and not eat any, consider yourself one tough cookie!!!!

Hoping each day gets easier for you. I just keep telling myself in a couple weeks, things will be so much better! Plus, we'll be doing so good and all the people that overate at Christmas will be wishing they would've followed in our footsteps!

I am in the same boat. I was banded on the 20th and although I know my doc's instructions, boy they looked a lot easier on paper than they are proving to be in practice! I guess this is where a big part of the battle is fought. Seems that way from comments made by bandsters who are much further along in the process than we are. We just need to stick it out, follow the rules, and hopefully soon, we will all be on the other side of this!

Happy holidays to all and a peaceful, quiet tummy to all the newbies out there!

I was banded on Wed and have been doing the broth, water, juice, and ice pops. I am not hungry but sometimes my mind wants food as I watch my hubby and three kids eat and eat and eat. I had it pretty easy so I consider myself very lucky I feel pretty good just a little gassy. Hang in there it can only get better from here!

Had my firt post-op protein this morning. Much better. My stomach does not feel like it's eating itself from the inside out anymore. Thanks everyone for walking me through.

Please just know that you are not alone...I got banded 3 days ago and I am really fighting with mental hunger. I am starving because my family is eating all the foods that i love. Its been harder than I could ever imagine...I guess its because its around the holidays that makes it that much harder. I cant believe I am actually looking forward to the pureed stage..yikes